Beverage container holder

ABSTRACT

A beverage cup holder to contain drinking fluids, collect condensation and spilled fluids, and direct them to a self contained reservoir. The holder has an upper rim that is taller than the container being held, ribs to support the entire height of the held container utilizing an upper funnel, and a device which stores spilled fluids and condensation within a self contained reservoir for spilled fluids formed by the holder from a centered vertical support column as well as creating an area to add attachments including weights, a magnet, or lighting to its open bottom end.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Ser. No.10/811,594, filed Mar. 29, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to beverage cup containers or holders. Inparticular, the invention relates to both portable and fixed containersfor holding beverage cups that reduce spillage of the beverage cupcontents and collects within the container of the invention any beveragespillage that occurs.

2. Description of the Related Art

The need for an improved cup holder has been magnified by the recentincrease in the average number of cup holders per vehicle, golf cart,shopping cart, movie theater chair, wheelchair, etc. Current cup holdersdo not provide a means for effectively capturing spilled fluids orcondensation from beverage cups and storing these fluids apart forcleaning at a later time. The most widely known cup holders are thosefound standard in vehicle dashboards or consoles; but they do not have aseparate area that contains the spills or condensation once they arecreated. This typically leaves the container sitting in the fluids, orfluids can get trapped between the cup and the container and spill ontothe dash, console or driver. Most cup holders do not fit into existingcup holders, do not address the problem of the beverage containersitting in its own spilled fluids, do not assist in capturing spilledfluids and are insufficient to handle the different sized beverage cupsthat are now typical.

Thus, a beverage container holder solving the aforementioned problems isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary achievement of the invention is the production of a beveragecup or container holder with an upper rim that is taller than thecontainer being held whereby spills from the cup or container are heldwithin the holder.

Another achievement of the invention is a holder that has a centeredvertical upright column within it that supports the held container andallows the captured fluids to be stored around its base away from theheld container while also providing a means to insert a weight or magnetinto its open bottom end for more stability or floatation. Additionally,this area can be used to house lighting or a receiver for attaching anumber of different attachments. For example, by using it on a desktop,spills on paper work can be avoided. The holder can sit on the desk topwith another attachment to hold the assembly steady.

Another achievement of the invention is a holder that reduces spills bycontaining the entire height of the held container utilizing theholder's upper funnel and support fins to support the top of the cup.

A further achievement of the invention is a holder that has a reservoirwithin it that stores the captured fluids of the held container separatefrom the held container.

Yet another achievement of the invention is a holder that purposelycollects dripping condensation from the held container and stores itseparate from the held container in its self-contained reservoir.

Still another achievement of the invention is a better holder by makingit portable for easy removal, transfer, and cleaning.

Another achievement of the invention is an easily cleaned holder that isportable and dishwasher safe.

Another achievement of the invention is a holder that holds a largevariety of container sizes and still performs its primary function.

A further achievement of the invention is a holder that reduces spillsin the interior of a vehicle by trapping spilling fluids with its upperrim and directing them to the holder's self-contained reservoir.

Yet another achievement of the invention is a holder that can fit inmost existing cup holders and improve their function.

Another achievement of the invention is a holder that has all the abovestated benefits and can be manufactured in one piece for ease inmanufacturing and reduced cost.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a holder that holds a container of drinking fluids, collectsthe condensation and spilled fluids from the container and directs themto the holder's self-contained reservoir. The instant invention includesa holder with an upper rim that is taller than the container being heldwhich collects spilled fluids; a holder that contains the entire heightof the held container utilizing the holder's upper funnel and supportribs, creating more stability and more room to access the heldcontainer, while further allowing the spilled fluids to pass into thereservoir; a holder which stores spilled fluids and condensation withinthe holder's self-contained reservoir created from a centered verticalsupport column to provide support to the held container and create anarea to add weight, a magnet, or lighting to its bottom open end; aholder that directs spilled fluids and condensation into the holder'sself contained reservoir utilizing the holder's upper and lower funnelsystem; a holder that can fit into existing cup holders and improvetheir function; a holder that is portable and machine washable; and aholder that can provide the above stated benefits and can bemanufactured in one piece.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a cup or container holder which utilizes an upper rim that istaller than the container being held to capture condensation and spilledfluids.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a cup or container holder which provides support to a heldcontainers entire height utilizing its upper funnel and support ribcombination thus creating more stability and more room to access theheld container while further allowing the spilled fluids to pass below,

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a cup or container holder which provides a self containedreservoir created from a centered vertical support column which providessupport to the held container separate from the containers spilledfluids furthermore creating an area to add weight, a magnet, or lightingby insertion in its open bottom end.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 1-1 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view looking at the top of the holder.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 1-1 of FIG. 2 andshown with a container held in position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from a top side advantage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holder from a bottom side advantage.

FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of the holder with a singlepole mount.

FIG. 7 is an environmental perspective view of the holder with a twinholder on a pole mount.

FIG. 8 is an environmental perspective view of the holder with a clampadaptor.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the holder with a flip-top cover.

FIG. 10 is a top view perspective of the bottom of the holder.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the holdershowing the bottom of the holder.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment showing the insidebottom of the holder.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a holder containing a top adjustableadapter for wide diameter and taller cup applications.

FIG. 14 is an environmental perspective view of the invention with thebeverage cup holder connected to a stable platform.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the beverage cup holder in position tobe connected to a nipple fixed on the stabilizing platform.

FIG. 16 is an environmental view perspective view of cylindrical abeverage cup holder of the invention comprising a single section withribs and centered column.

FIG. 17 is an overhead perspective view of the beverage cup holderattached to a platform.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention comprises a holder for containing a beverage cup. Theholder is a generally cylindrical container having preferably three orfour progressively narrower sections although the holder may containone, two or five sections. The selection of a three or four section cupholder is determined by the size of the beverage cup to be contained.The novel features of the invention described herein apply to both threeand four section cup holders. The cup holder includes a first open topsection, a narrower second middle section and a narrower third or fourthclosed bottom section, wherein the rim of the top section is wider andhigher than the rim of the cup contained in the holder. The holderincludes a means for supporting the bottom of the beverage cup above thebottom of the holder. In one embodiment, a centered portion of thebottom of the third or fourth section is elevated to form a verticalsupport column for the beverage cup bottom, a reservoir for spilledfluids and a recessed open pocket corresponding to the wall of theraised column.

Other means for supporting the bottom of the beverage cup in the holderwhile maintaining a reservoir for spilled fluids include at least onevertical wall partitioning rib members in the bottom of the third orfourth bottom section. Another means for supporting the bottom of thebeverage cup in the holder while maintaining a reservoir for spilledfluids includes forming multiple indents around the interiorcircumference of the third or fourth bottom section. Yet another meansfor supporting the bottom of the beverage cup in the holder whilemaintaining a reservoir for spilled fluids includes multiple short,vertical studs connected to the bottom of the third or fourth bottomsection.

The cup holder also includes a means for laterally supporting thebeverage cup arrayed about the interior wall of the first section of thecup holder. The cup support means may comprise ribs arrayed about theinterior wall of the first section of the cup holder. The ribspreferably comprise at least three vertical, narrow, flat, horizontallyopposed ribs circumferentially disposed about the interior wall of thefirst section.

Preferably, the reservoir of the cup holder includes a circularself-contained reservoir formed of the column interior wall, the thirdor fourth bottom section interior wall and a portion of the interiorbottom wall.

The holder of the invention contains means for connecting fixtures tothe recessed pocket formed within the column of the cup holder containedin the third or fourth bottom section. A preferred means includes ametal or wood post or pipe such as PVC pipe or coupling having one endconnected to the cup holder within the recessed pocket. The pipe may beconnected by press fitting, adhesives, threads or any means known in theart. A single post appropriately connected to the cup holder exteriorpocket can serve as a single garden stand for the cup holder. Using theappropriate pipefitting elbows, tees, nipples and couplings, a singlepost can serve a variety of applications such as a stand for two or morecup holders. In another embodiment, a pipe nipple can be connected intothe recessed pocket of the cup holder and then connected to a clamp toconvert the cup holder to a secure, readily portable cup holder.

In another embodiment of the invention, a flip lid is affixed to the cupholder first section. Although the cup holder is largely self-protectedfrom fluid spills, the flip lid protects the liquid beverage fromoutside adulteration, including rain, and protects the user fromsplashing. The lid is connected to the cup holder rim, preferably by asnap spring-loaded hinge. The primary function of the flip lid is todeflect spills from splashing during movement of the vehicle down thestreet.

In yet another embodiment, the cup holder is manufactured in twosections by dividing the holder laterally through different sections andforming the divided wall of the second section into complementary maleand female parts. The sections are joined by connecting portions of thedifferent sections together, allowing the container to be adjusted tohold smaller and larger cups properly. By disassembling the cup holder,cleaning of the holder is made especially easy and the portability ofthe apparatus is enhanced.

Referring to the figures, in one embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1)there is provided three section holder (10) that holds a drinkingcontainer. The holder is portable and machine washable and comprises ofupper rim (12) taller that the container being held, several supportribs (14) arrayed about its upper funnel (16) and connected to the lowerfunnel (18) by means of a generally cylindrical wall (20). The lowersection (22) has an open first end (24) and an opposite second end (26)and is formed by means of a generally cylindrical wall (28). Containedwithin the lower section (22) rising from the bottom end (26) of theholder (10) is a centered vertical support column (30) standingapproximately 1 inch tall thus creating the self contained reservoir(32) about its base.

As seen in FIG. 3 there is a held beverage container (34) that is placedin a holder (10) resting its lower end (36) on the centered verticalsupport column (30) as its upper end (44) comes to rest upon the supportrib (14) restraining the held container (34) from any movements whilestill allowing fluids to pass to the said holders (10) self containedreservoir (32) which stores spilled fluids and condensation for latereasy cleaning.

To accomplish an important function of the invention there is shown inFIG. 3 the upper rim (12) describing generally a cylindrical surfacethat extends above the held container (34). Below this, in accordancewith an important feature of this invention is the upper funnel (16) incombination with the support ribs (14) which provide support to the fullheight of the container while also providing passage to condensation andspilled fluids from the held container (34) to the self containedreservoir (32) in the base of the lower section (22).

Upon further inspection of FIG. 1 it will be seen that the upper rim(12) has an open end with a diameter of approximately 5.4 inches leadingdown to the upper funnel (16) with a top diameter of approximately 5.1inches and a bottom diameter of approximately 3.6 inches. The upperfunnel (16) contains several support ribs (14) arrayed evenly around theentire circumference of the said upper funnel (16). This allows betteraccess to the held container while allowing fluids to pass. Thesesupport ribs are approximately 0.125 inch's thick extending out from theupper funnel, thus providing support to the held container (34) whilealso allowing fluids to readily move to the lower section (22) andcollect in the holder's (10) self contained reservoir (32) separate fromthe held container (34).

In a preferred embodiment the fluids traveling inside the apparatuscylindrical inner surface (20), which has a diameter of approximately3.5 inches directs fluids to the bottom funnel comprising of an upperopen end with a diameter of approximately 3.5 inches and a lower openend with a diameter of approximately 3 inches leading to what will beconsidered the lower section (22). The lower section (22) comprising ofa generally cylindrical surface approximately 2 inches in height and 3inches in diameter houses a vertical support column (30) extendingupwardly from the bottom end (26) of the holder (10) standingapproximately 1 inch tall and approximately 1.4 inches in diameter thuscreating a platform (38) to support a held container (34) and creating areservoir (32) about its base, while further creating a open hollow areainside (40) with a closed top end (38) and an open bottom end (42) whichcan be used to house a weight, magnet, lighting, or any number of otherattachments.

Referring to FIG. 6, a four section cup holder (11) embodiment of theinvention is shown comprising sections (13), (15), (17) and (19). A pole(21) is attached into the recessed open bottom end (23) to provide astand-alone beverage cup holder, typically for outdoor applications.

Referring to FIG. 7, twin four section cup holder (11) embodiments ofthe invention are shown. Nipples (25) have been attached in the recessedopen bottom end (23) and connected through elbows (27) and tee (29) topole (21) to provide a twin stand-alone beverage cup holder.

Referring to FIG. 8, a four-section cup holder (11) embodiment is shownconnected from recess (23) to clamp (33) at clamp-head (31). Thisembodiment illustrates the flexibility of the cup holder inventionwhich, when connected to a clamp, can be moved from place to place withease.

Referring to FIG. 9, a four-section cup holder (11) embodiment is shownwith flip top (35) attached to the first section of the cup holder by asnap spring-loaded hinge (37).

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 alternative means are presented tosupport the cup bottom in the bottom section, i.e. (22) for thirdsection and (19) for fourth section, of the cup holder. In FIG. 10 showsat least one vertical wall or strut (39) in the bottom center of thebottom section (22). The strut may extend from wall to wall or bepositioned in the center. In FIG. 11, multiple indents (41) are producedin the bottom wall to support the cup bottom. In FIG. 12, multiple shortvertical studs (43) are connected to the interior bottom of the holderto support the cup bottom.

Referring to FIG. 13, a multiple piece cup holder (13) is shown. Thesections (15) and section (17) are separable. Each section is capable offitting together (9). Fitting the multiple pieces together to form acomplete Beverage cup holder combines these sections.

Referring to FIG. 14, the beverage cup holder (11) is shown attached toa portable platform (45) that prevents the holder from beingaccidentally upset and spilling liquid onto a table or desk. Theattachment is made by using the recessed pocket (40) at the holderbottom to connect with a nipple or other means inserted into the pocket.FIG. 15 presents another perspective view of the combination of theholder (11) being combined with a nipple (47) on a platform (45) to forma very stable structure.

FIG. 16 illustrates the application of the discoveries of the inventionas applied to a beverage cup holder consisting of only one section (49).Ribs (51) are fixed inside the single section to support the beveragelaterally and an elevated section in the bottom portion of the holder(40) support the bottom of the beverage cup while forming a reservoirportion (53) in the bottom of the holder.

Referring to FIG. 17, the overhead perspective view of the holder (11)shown the ribs (14) of the holder used to support the beverage cuplaterally while the holder is fixed to a platform at the recessed cup(40) attach ment.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents such as a holder thatcan hold multiple containers, a holder with a lid, or a holder that canbe adjustable.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A holder for containing a beverage cup comprising: a generallycylindrical container having at least three progressively narrowersections including a first open top section, a narrower second middlesection and a narrower third closed bottom section, wherein the rim ofsaid top section is wider and higher than the rim of said cup; and acentered portion of the bottom of said third section is elevated tocomprise a vertical support column for the beverage cup bottom, areservoir for spilled fluids and an exterior recessed pocket below theraised column.
 2. The cup holder of claim 1, further having means forsupporting said cup arrayed about the interior wall of said firstsection of the cup holder.
 3. The cup holder of claim 2, wherein saidsupport means comprises ribs arrayed about the interior wall of saidfirst section of the cup holder.
 4. The cup holder of claim 3, whereinsaid ribs comprise at least three vertical, narrow, flat, horizontallyopposed ribs circumferentially edge disposed about the interior wall ofsaid first section.
 5. The cup holder of claim 1, wherein said reservoircomprises a circular self contained reservoir formed by the columninterior wall, the third section interior vertical wall and a portion ofthe interior bottom wall.
 6. A holder for containing a beverage cup,comprising: a generally cylindrical container having progressivelynarrower sections including an open top section and a narrower closedbottom section, wherein the rim of said top section is wider and higherthan the rim of said cup; said top section having means for supportingsaid cup arrayed about the interior wall of said top section; and meansfor supporting the bottom of the cup in the bottom section.
 7. Theholder of claim 6, wherein said means for supporting the bottom of thecup comprises a centered portion of the bottom of said bottom sectionhaving a vertical support column for the beverage cup bottom wherein areservoir for spilled fluids surrounds the column, said columncomprising an exterior recessed pocket within the closed bottom section.8. The holder of claim 7, further having means for connecting fixturesto said exterior recessed pocket within the column of the cup holder. 9.The holder of claim 7, wherein said means includes a pipe having one endconnected to the cup holder within the exterior recessed pocket.
 10. Theholder of claim 6, wherein the means for supporting the cup compriseswall partitioning rib members in the top section.
 11. The holder ofclaim 6, wherein the means for supporting the cup comprises multipleshort vertical studs connected to the interior bottom of the holder tosupport the cup bottom.
 12. The holder of claim 6, wherein the means forsupporting the cup comprises multiple interior indentations around thebottom section of the cup holder.
 13. The holder of claim 6, furtherhaving a flip top lid attached to said rim.
 14. The holder of claim 6,wherein said means for supporting said cup within the interior wall ofsaid first section comprise ribs arrayed about the interior wall of saidtop section of the cup holder.
 15. The holder of claim 6, wherein themeans for supporting the cup includes a strut installed lengthwiseacross the bottom section of the holder.
 16. The holder of claim 6,wherein the exterior recessed pocket is connected to a portableplatform.
 17. The holder of claim 16, wherein the recessed pocket isconnected to the portable platform by a nipple attached to the platformand inserted in the pocket.
 18. A holder for containing a beverage cup,comprising a generally upright cylindrical container wherein the rim ofsaid container is wider and higher than the rim of said cup; a centeredportion of the bottom of said container is elevated to comprise avertical support column for the beverage cup bottom; and further havingmeans for supporting said cup arrayed about the interior wall of a topsection of the container.
 19. The cup holder of claim 18, wherein saidsupport means comprises ribs arrayed about the interior wall of said topsection of the cup holder.